Pocket letter opener



June 1, 1948. w KEiSER POCKET LETTER OPENER Filed May 1, 1945 J] Mllacejf'ffe z'ser Patented June 1, 1948 UNKED PATENT OFF The invention aims to provide an unusually simple, inexpensive and compact device which may be readily carried in the users pocket or handbag, and may be conveniently used for quickly and easily opening letters.

The device includes a cutting blade to be inserted between the back of an envelope and the portion of the flap adjacent the fold line of the latter, the envelope and opening device being relatively movable to out said flap along said fold line; and a further object is to provide said opening device with. a transparent portion through which the blade and envelope may be clearly seen, to not only facilitate proper entrance of the blade, but to permit the user to watch said blade and keep it at the proper angle to the envelope, for easy cutting.

A still further object is to provide a novel construction which may be rapidly and inexpensively manufactured, yet will be strong and durable.

Yet another aim is to provide a construction which may be readily manufactured primarily from modern plastic.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing is a top plan view.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view.

Figure 3 is an edge view looking in the direction indicated by the arrow A of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is an edge view looking in the direction indicated by the arrow B of Fig. 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fi 1.

Figure 6 is an elevation showing the manner of using the device.

A preferred construction has been illustrated in the drawing and will be rather specifically described, with the understanding, however, that within the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

A flat block 1 is provided, said block having flat parallel upper and lower sides 8 and 9, and an envelope-guiding edge Ill. A shallow fiatbottomed groove l l is formed in the upper side 8 of the block 7, said groove being oblique to and opening through the edge Iii. An elongated cutting blade I2 of the same width as the groove H is received throughout a portion of its length in said groove H, and projects throughout the remainder of its length beyond the edge I0, placing the cutting edge l3 at a sharply acute angle for easy cutting. Adjacent this cutting edge IS, the edge ii] is preferably longitudinally concave to some extent as indicated at M, providing for cutting of the paper envelope without any possi- 2., bility of paper fibers becoming wedged between the cutting edge of the blade and the block-l;

The upper side of the blade I2 is spaced downwardly from the upper side 8 of the block 1, as seen in Fig. 5, and a spacing Washer I5 lies upon said blade, the upper side of said washer being flush with said side 8 of the block 7. A top plate I 6 lies upon the side 8 0f the block 1 and projects eyond the edge Ill of said block, and a bottom plate I? lies against the lower side 9 of said block 1 and also projects beyond said edge ID, the projecting portions of said plates providing a channel within which the effective portion of the blade I2 is located. A screw or other fastener l8 extends through the side plates [6 and [7, the washer l'5, the blade [2 and the block 1 and secures all of these parts tightly together, and another screw l9 at a suitable location secures said side plates and block together and prevents'relative turning of them about the screw or the like It.

The three parts 1, l6 and I! are preferably formed from modern plastic, and in the preferred construction, both of the plates I6 and I! are transparent while the block I is opaque. This block is preferably of some bright color, giving a very attractive appearance to the article.

The device may be easily engaged with an envelope as seen in Fig. 6 while holding said device in one hand and the envelope in the other, and the transparency of the top plate l6 permits easy guiding of the blade l2 between the envelope back and the portion of the flap adjacent the fold-line of the latter. Then, by pulling the envelope to the right with respect to the opening device, the flap will be cleanly out along said fold-line. Better results are of course attainable if the cutting device be kept at the proper angle with respect to the envelope. To aid in doing this, I preferably provide the top plate IS with a score line 20 to be kept in line with the fold-line of the flap during the envelop opening operation.

From the foregoing taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that novel and adVantageous provision has been made for carrying out the objects of the invention, and while preferences have been disclosed, attention is again invited to the possibility of making variations within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A letter opener comprising a block having an envelope-guiding edge and a flat side extending to said edge, said flat side having a shallow groove oblique to said edge and opening through the same, a cutting blad in said groove and projecting beyond said edge, the outer side of said blade being spaced inwardly from said flat side of said block, a spacing washer lying against said outer side of said blade, the outer side of said Washer being flush with said fiat side of said block, a side plate lying against said flat side of said block and projecting beyond said edge, a fastener extending through said side plate, said washer, and said blade and securing them to said block, and a second side plate connected with said block and projecting beyond said edge in substantially parallel relation with the projecting portion of the aforesaid side plate.

2. A letter opener comprising a flat block having substantially parallel sides and an envelopeguiding edge, one of said sides of said block having an elongated shallow groove oblique to said edge and opening through the same, an elongated cutting blade in said groove and projecting beyond said edge, the outer side of said blade bein spaced inwardly from said one of said sides of said block, a spacing washer lying against said outer side of said blade, the outer side of said washer being flush with said one of said sides of said block, side plates lying against said sides of said block and projecting beyond said edge, one of said plates contacting with said outer side of said washer, and a fastener extending through said block, said blade, said washer and said side plates.

WALLACE FREDERICK KEIsER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

